DUNKIRK

Your next trip to France ...

FRENCHFLANDERS

2 www.dunkerque-groupes.fr

Welcome to Dunkirk and French Flanders, a seaside destination offering superb sandy beaches, marinas and protected natural reserves.

alongside unspoiled countryside where the French way of life merges with traditional Flemish culture. A stone’s throw from the famous Dunkirk

time seems to have stood still for centuries. Enchanting windmills, towering belfries, delicious local food and traditional shopping are all available for you to discover. For the more adventurous, the frenzy of

visitor attractions mean there is plenty to enjoy... so there is always a good reason to come and visit. Not to mention the very warm welcome you will experience so typical of Northern France.

tips for your stay in Dunkirk and French Flanders,

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the battles of 1940, there is a great deal to see and appreciate about the city and its architecture. One of the most memorable events in history was played out right here on the beautiful beaches extending for miles across the coastline of Dunkirk. From 26 May to 4 June 1940, the hemmed in British Expeditionary Force and French 1st Army faced annihilation from the rapidly advancing German army.

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THE BEST PLACES FOR…WARTIME HISTORY

Settled in the Bastion 32 bunker, the Dunkerque1940 museum tells the incredible story of Operation Dynamo and the evacuation of 338 000 allied soldiers. The museum houses a rich collection of weapons, uniforms, models, photos and maps of the military operations.The museum is open every day from 1st April to 30th

September from 10am to 5pm.Rue des Chantiers de France - Dunkerquewww.dynamo-dunkerque.com

1 DUNKIRK WAR MUSEUM

Erected in 1957, this memorial pays homage to the 4,528 soldiers of the British ground forces and to six men of the Indian army who do not have a known grave.Route de Furnes - Dunkerque

5 THE BRITISH MEMORIALThis memorial recalls the plight of 80 British soldiers massacred by the enemy on 28th May 1940. Consisting of a reconstruction of the barn where the soldiers were needlessly executed, and the turrets that now house details of the war operations and command a panoramic view over the region to commemorate and honour those who died.Rue des Dunkirk Vétérans - Esquelbecq

3 LA PLAINE AU BOIS

In 1940, during ‘Operation Dynamo’, huge resources were abandoned, including many damaged ships beached on the sands along the coast. Incredibly, some wrecks are still clearly visible at low tide along the beaches between Zuydcoote and Bray-Dunes.

The Dunkirk Tourist Board has published a brochure called “Battle of Dunkirk-Operation Dynamodownload on bit.ly/dunkirk_1940

4 THE SHIPWRECKS OF ZUYDCOOTE

Built in 1878-1880 this fort near Leffrinckoucke, has played a pivotal role in the defence of Dunkirk and its port.Open from early May to 30th September from 10am to to 12:30 and from 2pm to 6:30. Closed on Mondays.Rue du 2 juin 1940 - Leffrinckoucke

2 THE FORT DES DUNES

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The name Dunkerque is Flemish, and means simply ‘the church on the dunes’. But since its foundation in the ninth century, the port’s geographic location has made Dunkerque a strategic prize. It was squabbled over by the British, Dutch and Spanish, but it has remained resolutely French since the late 17th century. This was the time that the local hero, Jean Bart, made his name as a ‘privateer’. Little more than state-sponsored pirates, privateers were given free rein to attack enemy ships.

THE BEST PLACES FOR…MARITIME HERITAGE

Housed in a former 19th century tobacco warehouse, the collections include fascinating insights into the Nautical world of a large port, which provide both historical and contemporary perspectives. You can also board three ships that are open to the public: the tall ship Duchesse Anne, the lightship Sandettie and the Guilde barge.9 Quai de la Citadelle - Dunkerque - www.museeportuaire.com

6 PORT MUSEUM

Dive into the maritime world of the old fi shing port of Grand-Fort-Philippe and relive the great rescues at sea. Inside its former shelter, a restored lifeboat seems ready to go out to sea. Open from April to September.Boulevard de la République - Grand-Fort-Philippe

11 THE RESCUE MUSEUM

Visit the construction site of a 17th century fi rst rank ship and the attractions located in a historical park in Gravelines.Route de Calais - Gravelines

10 ESPACE TOURVILLE

A great way to see the city is to climb the 58 metre St Eloi belfry. A World Heritage Site, the stunning view of the town, port and beyond across Flanders is a ‘must see’.Rue de l’Amiral Ronarc’h - Dunkerquewww.beffroi-dunkerque.fr

9 SAINT ELOI BELFRY

Step back in time, to the 19th century and immerse yourself in the world of Iceland fi shing. The Musée de la Mer, with its wealth of souvenirs, ship models and old objects, tells the story of this very particular type of fi shing. Open from April to September.28 boulevard Carnot – Grand-Fort-Philippe

7 SEA MUSEUM

Navigating around the city ramparts in rowing boats, or if preferred in electric boats, is a great way to explore the restored fortifi cations designed by Vauban.Porte aux boules - Rue de Dunkerque - Gravelines

8 VAUBAN PROMENADE

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One of the major natural attractions of Dunkirk and French Flanders is its stunning seaside. With 10 miles (15 km) of white sandy beaches and 1,700 acres of protected parkland, the wonderful French coast of Flanders is a dream location for kite surfing, sand-yachting, cycling and hiking.

THE BEST…ACTIVE DAYS OUT

Enjoy the thrills of this spectacular sport on the beaches that could not have been designed any better for sand-yachting. Learning the basics is easy, making this exhilarating sport accessible to those of all ages.Base Nautique Jean Binard - Digue de Mer - GravelinesMer et Rencontres - 4 Digue Nicolas II - Dunkerque

The Dunkirk Tourist Board also organises sand yachting weekends, so if you want more information check out the details at www.shortbreaks.fr.

12 SAND-YACHTING

The regional yachting centre in Dunkirk can be found close by to the newly built Youth Hostel. Here you can experience the excitement of sailing genuine racing yachts on the Channel. Several types of yachts are available, allowing the whole family to sail together. This is a great way to discover the stunning Flemish coast.Ecole de croisière Dunes de Flandre - Quai d’armement Nord - Dunkerque

14 SAILING

Hop on board to discover Dunkirk’s impressive port on a fascinating and educational one-hour cruise. The ‘Texel’ tour ship offers the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy a drink whilst viewing the coastal installations from the relaxed interior comfort of this delightful craft.Place du Minck - Dunkerque - www.le-texel.fr

15 PORT TOURS

Dunkirk’s recently re-landscaped 27-hole golf course is a must for any golfer. Just 9.3 miles (15 km) from the ferry terminal and 3.1 miles (5 km) from the town centre, the course also boasts spectacular views of the Flemish countryside including the pretty fortified town of Bergues. Route du golf - Coudekerque-Village - dunkerque.bluegreen.com

13 GOLF ‘BLUE GREEN’ - DUNKIRK GRAND LITTORAL

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Situated on over a hectare of the beautiful plain of Houtland, you will discover the 14 Flemish gardens that inspired generations of painters and artists. The nearby tavern is also opened every afternoon from Thursday until Sunday.8 rue St Nicolas - Cassel

16 GARDENS OF THE ‘MONT DES RÉCOLLETS’

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1 Dunkirk War Museum .................................................... p32 The Fort des Dunes ....................................................... p33 La Plaine au Bois ........................................................... p34 The shipwrecks of Zuydcoote .................................... p35 The British Memorial ..................................................... p36 Port museum ................................................................... p47 Sea Museum .................................................................... p48 Vauban promenade ....................................................... p49 Saint Eloi belfry .............................................................. p410 Espace Tourville ........................................................... p4

11 The rescue museum .................................................... p412 Sand-yachting .............................................................. p513 Golf ‘Blue Green’ - Dunkirk Grand Littoral ............ p514 Sailing ............................................................................. p515 Port tours ....................................................................... p516 Gardens of the ‘Mont des Récollets’ ....................... p517 Lighthouses .................................................................. p818 PLUS ............................................................................... p819 Camélus ......................................................................... p820 Sportica .......................................................................... p8

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Stadede la licorne

BeachBeach

North Sea

Camp site "La Licorne"

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Gravelines

Bergues

Bourbourg

Malo-les-Bains

Cappelle-la Grande

Grande-Synthe

St-Pol-sur-Mer

Fort-MardyckRosendaël

North seaLeffrinckoucke

Bray-Dunes

Ghyvelde

Hondschoote

Zuydcoote

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21 Zoo ................................................................................... p822 Bowling .......................................................................... p823 Farm museum le Bommelaers Wall ........................ p824 Ice rink ............................................................................ p825 Chapel of light .............................................................. p926 LAAC Museum of Contemporary Art ...................... p927 FRAC Art Museum ....................................................... p928 Halle aux Sucres ........................................................ p929 Musée de Flandre ........................................................ p930 Museum of drawings and original prints ............... p931 Casino ........................................................................... p10

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The region offers a wealth of family friendly attractions including a zoo, a spectacular planetarium, quaint farms and an amusement park. Dunkirk also offers a variety of quality sporting facilities such as Dunkirk’s Olympic swimming pool, the ice skating rink, the Olympic rowing lake at Gravelines and ‘Aqua Lamé’ the natural swimming pool including a solarium, beach volleyball, water jets and a playground.

THE BEST PLACES FOR…FAMILIES

Especially designed to provide the right habitat for over 170 species of wild and domestic animals, the zoo makes for a great day out for all the family.Rue des droits de l’homme Fort Mardyck www.parc-zoologique.fr

21 ZOODunkirk’s bowling alley is open every day from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am and Friday to Saturday from 8:00 pm to 3:00 am.Sentier de la Vallée – Dunkerque www.patinoire-dunkerque.com

22 BOWLING

Open every day during the French school holidays and on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during term time, the rink provides good value fun for all the family.11 Place P. Asseman - Dunkerque www.patinoire-dunkerque.com

24 ICE RINK

Dunkirk’s Risban lighthouse has been guiding ships to safety since 1843. It is the highest automated harbour lighthouse in France. It takes 276 steps to climb, to fully appreciate the magnificent panoramic view on the sea and the surrounding cities. It is also possible to visit the Gravelines Lighthouse at Petit Fort Philippe.Route des docks flottants Dunkerque www.museeportuaire.com

Digue de Mer - Gravelines www.gravelinestourisme.fr

17 LIGHTHOUSES

Sportica’s facilities include a bowling alley, two saunas and a swimming pool.Boulevard de l’Europe - Gravelines

20 SPORTICA

Get ready for lift off! Take the journey from the first moments of the Big Bang right up to star studded heavens of the pres-ent day. Lose yourself in time and space as the planetarium guides you through galaxies of the universe by means of its la-ser shows, and exhibitions that appeal to people of all ages.Rue du Planétarium Cappelle-la-Grande www.le-plus.fr

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Want something a little bit dif-ferent? Why not visit the Ostrich farm in Ghyvelde? Friendly and informative staff are always on hand to explain how the centre breeds and raises ostriches. And there are lots of other fun-ny animals too!21 rue d’Uxem - Ghyvelde www.le-camelus.com

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This museum is located in a working farm and aims to show real country life in Flanders a century ago. You can also purchase local produce in the shop.Route de Furnes - Ghyvelde - www.ecomusee-flandres.com

23 FARM MUSEUM LE BOMMELAERS WALL

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Visiting Dunkirk provides a great deal to do and see regardless of the season. Varied museums, art exhibits, the Port Museum, great shops and the Casino all provide great opportunities to enjoy.

THE BEST THINGS FOR…ART AND CULTURE

Located in an impressive building in the new Grand Large quarter, the FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais boasts an internationally renowned collection of more than 1,700 works of contemporary artists.

503 Avenue des Bancs de Flandres – Dunkerque - www.fracnpdc.fr

27 FRAC ART MUSEUM

Created by British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro, the stunning group of 15 sculptures, forms part of the restored gothic Cloister of the St. John the Baptist church.Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste - 26 place du marché aux chevaux - Bourbourg www.ciacbourbourg.fr

25 CHAPEL OF LIGHT

3 route du Quai Freycinet 3 – Dunkerque - www.halleauxsucres.com

The museum is set in the remarkable surroundings of the Gravelines Citadel, built under Charles Quint in the 16th century and renovated by Vauban in the late 17th century. It is the only museum in France dedicated to original prints.Château, Arsenal - Place Albert Denvers – Gravelines

28 HALLE AUX SUCRES

30 MUSEUM OF DRAWINGS AND ORIGINAL PRINTS

Located at the very heart of a superb sculpture garden. The LAAC presents an exceptional exhibition of art from the 1950s to the present day.

Jardin de sculptures - Car park: rue des chantiers de France - Dunkerque www.musees-dunkerque.eu

26 LAAC MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

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30Dedicated to Flemish art throughout history the building itself is worthy of

Castellany and the Court of Justice.26 Grand Place - Cassel -

29 MUSÉE DE FLANDRE

The Sustainable City Learning Centre is a hybrid space where you can question the city today and tomorrow, at a time when we need to reinvent other models of “living together”.A resource centre, 4 floors of exhibits...

THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY…YOUR STAY IN DUNKIRK FRENCH

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Thanks to its exceptional location, Dunkirk and French Flanders boast a unique combination of traditional Flemish cuisine and excellent seafood. You’ll find fantastic fish platters traditional dishes of water-zoi and potjevleesch. And why not try out the excellent Dunkirk mussels? Dunkirk’s huge range of restaurants represents excellent value for money compared to the rest of the country!

RESTAURANTS

Dunkirk is the perfect place to stop off at the start or the end of your holiday. 400 shops across the town-centre include all your favourite brands. Specialist shops offer delicious French products like cheese, wine, beer and chocolate.Parking close to the shops is easy, with thousands of parking spaces in and around the town centre.Don’t forget to stock up on local goodies at either of the two city supermarkets or one of the superb hypermarkets just outside Dunkirk: Cora, Carrefour and Auchan.The Hondschoote area is known for its flax fields. At le Grenier du Lin, a specialised shop, you’ll discover all you can do with linen, from clothing to food.

SHOPPING

The residents of Dunkirk are proud of their bustling open markets. Most of them take place in the morning, only the Dunkirk town centre market ends at 4pm on Saturdays (2pm on Wednesdays).

Dunkirk’s seaside resort of Malo-les-Bains is a lively place to visit. Each Tuesday morning there is a lovely open market at Turenne square. The traditional open market at the centre of the bo-

rough of Rosendaël on Sunday mornings is also not to be missed.In Gravelines, open markets take place in the main square on Friday mornings, and in other parts of town on Sunday mornings and on Wednesday mornings.Friday is market day in Hondschoote, and there are markets in Grande-Synthe on Tuesday (place du Mar-ché) and Thursday mornings (avenue Dudebout).

OPEN MARKETS

Boot sales are held during the summer in nearly every city of Northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Typically, the locals set up their stands in many of the streets to sell their bric-a-brac. Don’t miss the annual international boot sale in the town

centre of Dunkirk on Ascen-sion Day (beginning of June). There is also usually a flea market somewhere in the re-gion on most weekends. The Tourist Offices will be happy to provide a full list.

FLEA MARKET – BOOT SALES

Located near the beach, the Casi-no offers gam-bling tables, slot machines and a lounge bar. The restaurant has a tropical theme to its interior. Place du Casino - Dunkerque dunkerque.groupetranchant.com

31 DUNKIRK CASINO

With a choice of over 20 well equipped ho-tels, you can catch a great night’s sleep without breaking the bank! The Tourist Office is also very amenable to visitors in helping to find the best hotel to meet your needs.

ACCOMMODATION

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SET SAIL TO DUNKIRK WITH

Whether you’re heading to Dunkirk to see sights such as the historic Belfry (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Port Museum and the Dunkirk 1940 museum, which tells the poignant story of the Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo, you’ll be able to access the city easily as it’s just a short drive from the port.

With no luggage restrictions on DFDS ferries, their route is also perfect if you’re planning on stocking up on local produce to bring back home to the UK, or if you’re taking a trip which requires a lot of supplies and provisions such as camping or other outdoor activities.

Each sailing from Dover to Dunkirk takes just 2 hours, but there’s

everything you’ll need to have a pleasant journey.

All of the ships on the route come with a self-service restaurant as well as a fast food diner, and a lounge cafe bar where you can enjoy a hot or cold drink and a snack. There’s also a shop onboard which stocks a range of fragrances and cosmetics, confectionery, children’s toys and games, as well as any travel essentials you may have forgotten to pack!

If you’re travelling with your family, then your little ones can enjoy themselves in the dedicated soft play areas or games room while you chill out and catch up with the latest news and sport on the widescreen TVs. And of course there’s nothing like the fresh sea air out on deck – it’s a great place for exploring, bird watching and ship spotting!

Prices for a car + up to 9 people are from only £39 each way. Prices for other vehicles vary.

YOUR HOLIDAY BEGINS ONBOARD

PRICES

DFDS is the only ferry company to sail to Dunkirkfrom Dover and as there are up to 24 daily sailingit couldn’t be easier.

Travel with your car, caravan, motorcycle, motorhome – or even your bicycle – and you’ll be in Dunkirk in just 2 hours.

For more information or to book visit

www.dfds.co.uk

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AMSTERDAMA

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2016

LONDON

DUNKIRK

PARIS

BRUSSELS

DUNKIRK TOURIST OFFICELe Beffroi, rue de l’Amiral Ronarc’h59140 DunkerquePhone: +33 (0)3 28 66 79 21

GRAVELINES TOURIST OFFICE 2 Rue Léon Blum - 59820 GravelinesPhone: +33 (0)3 28 51 94 00

© Sarah Alcalay - © Samuel Dhote - © Florian Alphonse - © Christophe Bonte - © Jean Drieux - © Philippe Houzé - © Le Camélus © Studio Mallevaey - © Margaux Sappen - © Sportica - ©Jacques Quecq d’Henripret - © le Bommelaers Wall

www.dunkirk-tourism.com

DUNKIRK

Gravelines

Bergues

Bourbourg

BELGIUM

Malo-les-Bains

St-Pol / Mer

Coudekerque-Branche

Cappelle-la Grande

Pitgam

Esquelbecq

TéteghemGrande-Synthe

Fort-Mardyck

Loon-Plage

Rosendaël

North Sea

Leffrinckoucke

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Ghyvelde

Hondschoote

Zuydcoote

Wormhout

A25 - E42

A16 - E40

Cassel

CalaisLondon

DFDS

Dover

FurnesBruges

Brussels

Grand-FortPhilippe

Steenvoorde

PAARC

Saint-Omer

Lille Paris

Les Moëres

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Your next trip to France...

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